A bill proposing strict penalties for those who fail to recite the national anthem has been introduced in the House of Representatives.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The Counter Subversion Bill 2024, aims to punish individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem.
Anyone found guilty will be fined N5 million or sentenced to 10 years in prison, or both, The bill also covers those who destroy national symbols or places of worship, who will face the same punishment.
Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill is scheduled for its second reading. The bill states that individuals “found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both”.
It also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.
Any individual who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both”.
“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both,” it also added among others.
In May 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
